Ilya Samsonov

Ilya Alexeyevich Samsonov (Russian: Илья Алексеевич Самсонов; born 22 February 1997) is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender. He currently plays with the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Ilya Samsonov
Samsonov with the Washington Capitals in 2020
Born	22 February 1997 Magnitogorsk, Russia
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
NHL team Former teams	Washington Capitals Metallurg Magnitogorsk
NHL Draft	22nd overall, 2015 Washington Capitals
Playing career	2014–present

Playing career

Samsonov made his Kontinental Hockey League debut playing in relief with Metallurg Magnitogorsk during the 2014–15 KHL season on 11 December 2014, against Sibir Novosibirsk.[1] After a successful junior season with Metallurg's Junior club, Stalnye Lisy, Samsonov was ranked as the top European Goalie in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft,[2] and was the first goaltender drafted, being taken 22nd overall by the Washington Capitals.

Following the 2017–18 season, his fourth season in the KHL with Metallurg, Samsonov embarked on his NHL ambition in signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals on 4 May 2018.[3] Samsonov was called up from the AHL Hershey Bears as insurance following Braden Holtby's upper body injury. He suited up as back-up goalie to Pheonix Copley for the 16 November 2018 game against the Colorado Avalanche.[4] He made the opening night roster for the 2019–20 season, and made his NHL debut in a start against the New York Islanders on Friday, 4 October 2019. Samsonov made 25 saves in a 2–1 Capitals win.. Samsonov became only the third NHL rookie goalie to win his first eleven decisions. [5]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season										Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	T/OT	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2014–15	Stalnye Lisy	MHL		18	11	4	1	1039	46	2	2.66	.908		2	1	1	127	6	0	2.83	.937
2014–15	Metallurg Magnitogorsk	KHL		1	0	0	0	21	2	0	5.50	.500		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Stalnye Lisy	MHL		5	5	0	0	300	9	1	1.80	.935		1	0	1	63	3	0	2.82	.875
2015–16	Metallurg Magnitogorsk	KHL		19	6	4	3	853	29	2	2.04	.925		6	2	2	263	10	0	2.28	.916
2016–17	Metallurg Magnitogorsk	KHL		27	15	3	5	1127	40	2	2.13	.936		3	1	0	93	2	0	1.28	.949
2017–18	Metallurg Magnitogorsk	KHL		26	12	9	1	1325	51	3	2.31	.926		5	1	2	234	9	0	2.30	.913
2018–19	Hershey Bears	AHL		37	20	14	2	2202	99	3	2.70	.898		5	2	3	342	17	0	2.99	.897
2019–20	Washington Capitals	NHL		26	16	6	2	1412	60	1	2.55	.913		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
KHL totals				73	33	16	9	3327	122	7	2.20	.929		14	4	4	590	21	0	2.13	.920
NHL totals				26	16	6	2	1412	60	1	2.55	.913		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

International

Medal record
Representing  Russia
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
	2016 Finland
	2017 Canada

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	W	L	T	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2014	Russia	U17			3	1	2	0	179	17	0	5.71	.887
2015	Russia	WJC18	5th		3	2	1	0	180	8	0	2.67	.934
2016	Russia	WJC			2	2	0	0	120	2	0	1.00	.956
2017	Russia	WJC			6	3	3	0	370	13	2	2.11	.930
Junior totals					14	8	6	0	849	40	2	—	—

Awards and honors

Award	Year
KHL
Gagarin Cup (Metallurg Magnitogorsk)	2016	[6]
International
WJC18 Best Goaltender	2015
WJC18 Top 3 player on Team	2015
WJC All-Star Team	2016
WJC Top 3 player on Team	2016

References

1. "Ilya Samsonov player profile". Kontinental Hockey League. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
2. "NHL Central's final rankings". National Hockey League. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
3. "Capitals sign Ilya Samsonov". Washington Capitals. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
4. "Capitals' Ilya Samsonov: Recalled from minors". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
5. https://www.nhl.com/news/facts-and-figures-ilya-samsonov-joins-rare-company/c-314521348
6. "Magnitogorsk wins 2nd Gagarin Cup in 3 years". rt.com. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database